dyerseve

Apologies, don't mean to cause offence & didn't realise the bass was owned by a BC member. However. I do know a little about Japanese instruments from this era, and having (a few years ago now, admittedly) bought & sold them to earn a living, I do have some awareness of the market for them, and their values. The simple fact is that, like any vintage instrument, original components and finish, both in good order, are paramount to their value. Refinishes and non-original components (regardless of quality) are unlikely to add value. I can only look at an instrument from the perspective of what I'd expect it to achieve if I were selling it - and a VA900B in top condition would likely be a £350-£400 bass. They are excellent instruments but looking at Matsumoku builds from this era, the Vantage brand is valued a bit lower than similarly specced Westones, and both of those are poor relations to Aria Pro SBs & SB-Rs. Of course these are little more than assumptions on my part & I'd actually like to be proven wrong about your bass. I hope you get your asking price. Just in case you are interested. I have had someone offer me the full asking price so it just goes to show if the right buyer comes along...

thanks but sadly it's already gone. not surprising really

Thanks mate just texted the seller to see if he will post. Not sure about dealing at distance with gum tree though...

looks a very sexy bass and well equipped. just listened to a few examples on ebay and they are a damn fine sounding bass!

no worries mate.

Just what the actual feck https://reverb.com/item/3787103-eastwood-custom-shop-devo-be-stiff-bass-orange

Josh i have (non warwick) spares so let me know your address and i will post one FOC

Price aside, I cannot believe how good condition that bass is in considering it's 66 years old! Do we really think it's all original and not a refin?

No worries it's all good

I was just trying to make you aware of the full facts as it seemed you either weren't aware of them especially with your comment about why Sandberg do what they do...

for those who like to click: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peavey-Cirrus-4-bass-with-hard-case-USA-made/352321121795?hash=item5207f9ae03:g:tXIAAOSwaDZaw0eT haha, love his idea of "battle scars" but fair play to the seller for being so honest about all the marks

except that someone did state/claim "No decent manufacturer, tech or luthier would ever file grooves into a zero fret to lower the height." As for why they do it, please see here: http://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/forum/Bass/acapella-17/438254- Am i the only person that reads the whole thread?

Ah ok. I regret selling mine. Would love to get an NS-95 someday and try some new pups and a pre in it. stoopidily good basses for pocket change

I dont think anyone should be immune from critical questions, including the people asking said questions. There is nothing wrong with robust debate. FWIW I only have a problem when people make blanket statements and their commetns insinuate that Sandberg are not decent manufacturers and Sandberg are not able to reply to defend their position. That is all. No one has hurt anyone's feelings and eveyone is of course entitled to their opinion. However, when one bass builder potentially being critical of another they need to be able to defend their position especially in light of evidence contrary to their position. peace

Way over priced. There are a couple on Reverb.com from £1550 used or £2100 new!

The photographs and the item both leave me wondering why...

I especially like how the roadworn front matches the immaculate back...

Sure but Manton Customs has called Sandberg's reputation in to question with his comments and in the absence of a representative from Sandberg being able to defend them then I feel I have to question his sweeping and damning statement from his first post in the thread. Surely that is only fair?

Funny, aren't you the same person that said no reputable manufacturer, luthier or tech would ever slot the zero fret. Maybe you don't consider Sandberg a reputable manufacturer. Oh well, it doesn't seem to be affecting their sales or reviews much. And having owned a Sandberg I can tell you they are one of the best playing and sounding instruments I've owned and the build quality is without question.

You aren't replicating the nut though as the zero fret will be made with the same material as the other frets. Hence why I've always thought Warwicks sound best with the brass nuts to match the frets.

Umm why not just take out the frets if you really to have the lowest action...

Wow so how many humble pies am I ordering for everyone???😁

Mate I know what I'm talking about. If you adjust the relief it alters the action at the nut. This is why you set the relief first whenever you setup a bass as it is the foundation of everything else.

Every time I've owned a bass with a zero fret I've had to give it a setup which included reducing the relief. This then meant the height at the first fret has higher than it should be so I've filed the zero fret slightly to lower the action. Same as I would do to the nut if there was no zero fret.